GE FANUC PAC FAQ (常見問題與解答)
英文的,大家耐心慢慢看吧,關于pac系統,美國國家儀器(NI)也是有的,也有很詳細的介紹.04年ge的文章,現在拿出來供大家參考
Q. What does PAC mean?
A. Programmable Automation Controller
Powered by a single, portable control engine and using a singledevelopment tool for multiple applications, PACs enable truecontrol convergence and integration of plant floor operations withbusiness systems.
As defined by Automation Research Corporation (ARC), a leadingresearch firm in the industrial automation industry,www.arcweb.com, the PAC concept includes:
? Multi-domain functionality, including logic, motion, drives andprocess on a single platform.
? Single multi-discipline development platform incorporating commonvariable tagging and a single database.
? Software tools that allow design by process flow across severalmachine or process units.
? Open, modular architectures that mirror industry applicationsfrom machine layouts in factories to unit operations in processplants.
? Employment of de-facto standards for network interfaces,languages, etc., allowing data exchange as part of networkedmulti-vendor systems.
Q. How is a PAC different from a PLC?
A. PLCs have delivered speed and reliability with rugged design fordemanding plant environments and have provided proven performancelaggardly following the PC technology. Built on proprietaryarchitectures, PLCs were designed for programming andimplementation in a specific application. Communication beyond theplant levels of the enterprise—the device, control and supervisorytiers—can often require a generational upgrade, and these upgradesmany times result in full product change-out and hours ofre-engineering.
While a PAC’s form factor can be similar to that of a traditionalPLC, PACs are designed for multiple applications (motion, process,machine control, bridging the plant-floor and building networkscommunications etc.). The primary differentiator between the two isthe foundation upon which each is based. PACSystems functionalityis rooted in its portable control engine. This engine is separatefrom the hardware, uses a standard operating system and makesextensive use of commercial off-the-shelf products and controltechnology that is built on a standard embedded architecture. Formore information on how a PAC is different, see the GE Fanuc WhitePaper on Programmable Automation Controllers athttp://www.gefanuc.com/literature/pdf/PAC_White_Paper.pdf
Q. Where is PACSystems positioned?
A. PACSystems is designed to provide scalable price points withgrowing feature sets that allow the customer to pick the bestcost/application fit. The first platforms, RX7i and RX3i, aredesigned to address the mid- to high-end applications for OEMs,integrators, and end users. While the RX7i was designed forend-user and systems integrator projects and the RX3i formid-to-high range OEMs, their fit overlaps as applications becomemore complex.
Complex Control
Motion
High Availability
Field Bus Interfaces
Ethernet Connectivity
200 - 2000 I/O | Specialty Control MemoryIntensive
Coordinated Control
Redundancy
Hi-Speed Processing
1000 or more I/O |
The RX7i is ideally suited for high-end integrated solutions thatrequire open architecture (VME backplane), large memory, high-speeddata transfer, distributed I/O, and high performance.
The RX3i will address integrated and packaged solutions thatrequire high-speed backplanes for fast throughput, a full array ofoff-the-shelf I/O with a high-level diagnostics, all in a smallfootprint.
Q. What does RX7i or RX3i mean?
A. RX7i and RX3i are two of the platforms within our PACSystemsfamily. These are the first two platforms we are releasing;however, due to the fact that PAC means portable engine, moreplatforms are to be supported in the future.
RX – means rack-based form factor
7 or 3 – represents the ‘size’ of the form factor, its I/Ocapabilities and compatibility
i – intelligent, integrated, imaginative, I want it now!
Q. What is the PACSystems competitive edge?
A. It offers expanding hardware options while collapsing softwaretools
? Multiple hardware platforms for wide range ofperformance/functionality
? No “One Price Fits All” – choose the platform that fits yourcost
? All platforms use one software tool, CIMPLICITY MachineEdition
It offers an All-in-One Environment for All Software ApplicationRequirements
? All stages and roles within a project: configuration,programming, commissioning, and maintenance for all controllers
? All applications: motion, process, discrete, and visualizationapplication all in one tool with one database
? All languages: object oriented IEC 61131 programming with targetindependence – use on today’s platforms, use on the platforms oftomorrow
It is Designed Completely Around Standards
? Avoid product obsolescence and protect your investment
? Ability to integrate multiple vendors’ hardware and software totailor the application
? Early adoption of technological advances for better performanceand productivity
? Modular development environment platform to integrate to customersoftware tools
It has Flexible Control Architecture
? Advanced control functions let you develop better controlprograms that take less memory, execute faster, and are easier tomaintain
? Easy-to-use, built-in functionality versus the need for userapplication code for items such as faults and I/O scan
? No special CPUs depending on whether it’s a discrete or processapplication
It has the Best Customer Security Plan in the Industry
? Existing GE Fanuc I/O and customer applications can be seamlesslybrought forward to new platforms. Technology will always change andnew solutions will always be developed. What is important to acustomer is that their past investments are protected and can bebrought forward to the newest technology seamlessly – PACSystemsprovides this.
Q. What do you mean by ‘Portable Engine’?
A. The control engine is portable and sits on the operating system.The application interfaces with this engine, which inherently makesthe application portable. The engine is separate from the hardware,and using a common OS, the platforms can grow as rapidly as thetechnology allows, keeping the application portable. A portableengine provides consistent, deterministic operation over multipleplatforms and allows customers to fine-tune control for best ratioof cost versus functionality/performance. It also offersobsolescence avoidance – customers’ intellectual property travelson top of advances in technology. See the GE Fanuc white paper onProgrammable Automation Controllers atwww.gefanuc.com/literature/pdf/PAC_White_Paper.pdf
Q. This sounds like PC control – how is PACSystems different?
A. It’s really about the portable engine. PACSystems is builtaround standard architecture for deterministic control. Typically,PC control packages generate compiled code that is loaded into a PCand is part of the overall task of the operating system in the PC.The application is not in charge. Our portable engine is in chargeof whatever hardware platform it is loaded into, making it totallydeterministic because it controls every action. Load it on an RX7i,RX3i or PC, and it is all the same and totally in control.
Q. How easy is it to migrate a legacy application?
A. What does the Series 90-70 migration path look like? Theconversion is the best in class: Customers can continue to use thesame 90-70 hardware they have always used and still upgrade to theRX7i by simply upgrading the rack, power supply and CPU. The RX7isupports all of the existing 90-70 I/O cards. Some intelligentmodule firmware may need upgrading. From a software perspective,customers can import their LogicMaster or VersaPro applicationsinto CIMPLICITY Machine Edition and then convert them from a 90-70to an RX7i. The conversion utility will convert the logic andprovide a report of anything that could not be converted.
Series 90-30 to RX3i conversion will be similar to the above.
Q. What is happening with the Series 90-30 and Series 90-70products? Are they becoming obsolete?
A. No. The Series 90-30 and Series 90-70 are in active status, andwe don't have plans to mature at this time. See the life cyclepolicy, which can be given to your customer, onwww.gefanuc.com/salesbytes.
We are planning new modules for the Series 90-30 and RX3i platformsand are testing out more VME modules for RX7i and Series 90-70.
If and only if your customer drives the requirement for moving tothe new PACSystems technology, the options and programs are inplace for them to take this step on their own schedule and verycost effectively. As you are aware, the Series 90-30 and Series90-70 I/O and other modules can be integrated seamlessly into aPACSystems RX3i or RX7i, respectively. This is dependent on thePACSystems release and release of the module. The software programin the Series 90 CPU may take engineering work and is dependent onwhich software program they are currently using. If they are usingMachine Edition then the migration is close to seamless.
As you can see, the steps necessary to move to a PACSystemsarchitecture will vary depending on their current PLCconfiguration. One sure thing is that we are best in class forhelping customers make this move. PACSystems has been designed tosupport and bring our customers forward. The key to an easy andsuccessful move forward is having the customer using CIMPLICITYMachine Edition NOW, regardless of the existing PLC.
Q. What programming package do I need for PACSystems RX3i andRX7i?
A. In order to configure and program the RX7i and RX3i, you musthave CIMPLICITY Machine Edition Logic Developer-PLC ProfessionalEdition. This is the same edition of Logic Developer-PLC used forthe Series 90-70 PLC. For the RX7i, you must have Version 4.00 orlater. For the RX3i, you must have Professional Edition Version5.00 or later.
Q. Are there software upgrade programs for my VersaPro andLogicmaster customers?
A. Yes, we offer special pricing incentives for Logicmaster andVersaPro customers looking to migrate to Logic Developer-PLC. Wehave two upgrade part numbers that offer a 50% discount off thelist price of Logic Developer-PLC. These part numbers are:
BC646MPPU01 Upgrade from LM90, CC90 or VersaPro to Logic DeveloperPLC Professional
IC646MPPU03 Upgrade from Logic Developer PLC Standard Edition tothe Professional Edition
In addition, the TradeUp program offers additional options forupgrading. The TradeUp forms can be found under PROGRAMS onwww.gefanuc.com/salebytes
Q. What programming languages can I use to program the PAC?
A. With Logic Developer-PLC Version 4.00, you can program the PACcontroller in Ladder Diagram (LD) and C. The C Blocks forPACSystems controllers are created using a new 32-bit C Toolkitprovided with the Machine Edition software.
With Logic Developer-PLC Version 5.00, you will be able to programthe PACSystems controller in Structured Text (ST) and create UserDefined Function Blocks (UDFBs).
Q. When will all IEC 1131 programming languages be available forthe PAC?
A. We will continue to add the additional IEC languages toPACSystems over time to complete the offering of having all 5 IEClanguages. The current plans are: Structured Text (ST) 2Q 2004,Function Block Diagram (FBD) 4Q 2004, Instruction List (IL) andSequential Function Chart (SFC) 2005.
Q. Will there be a bundled PACSystems RX7i or RX3i kit?
A. There will be a starter kit for the RX3i. This kit will belaunched with the PACSystems RX3i Workshops in June 2004.